2022 MLB Draft: Dodgers land familiar name and more shortstops in Rounds 16-20

Dustin Nosler 07/20/2022 MLB Draft Leave A Comment

The Dodgers closed out their draft with a familiar name, more shortstops and a surprising amount of prep players — not all of whom will sign, I’m sure.

——

Round 16, No. 495 overall: RHP Jared Karros, UCLA

For the second time in the draft, the Dodgers went the bloodline route. This time, however, it was a more familiar bloodline. Eric Karros and his son can now say they were both drafted by the Dodgers. He’d have ranked higher on lists and probably been taken sooner if he didn’t miss 2022 with an injury.

Rankings
Prospects Live: 531

The younger Karros (though not the youngest, Kyle Karros is a sophomore infielder at UCLA) is definitely more than just a legacy pick, could've gone ten rounds higher if he had been healthy. Career 48/7 K/BB in 41 collegiate innings.
— Future Dodgers (@FutureDodgers) July 19, 2022

Jared Karros of UCLA goes to #Dodgers, some may be familiar with his father who also did some things in Los Angeles – Karros, the younger, is big-bodied arm with two potential above-average off-speed pitches, FB sneaks in despite moderate velo
— Taylor Blake Ward (@TaylorBlakeWard) July 19, 2022

Jared Karros missed all of 22 with a back injury. He's an ideal candidate to switch to a SI with his 6.8' RelZ and 0.4' RelX. Cutter is already ideally shaped to play with SI. CB has -15" IVB. CH dominates due to slot. Needs to add more velo because he was at 89 in 21. 55 Control
— Tieran (@Tieran711) July 19, 2022

UCLA back to work scrimmaging this week. Keeping a close eye on RHP Jared Karros. Long, lanky 6-foot-7-inch frame. Fantastic body control and feel to repeat. Metrically appealing. FB hops. Needs velo bump. Changeup and breaking ball both flash above avg.pic.twitter.com/CMEfqy73h0
— Joe Doyle (@JoeDoyleMiLB) October 9, 2021

I’d be shocked if he doesn’t sign.

——

Round 17, No. 525 overall: RHP Payton Martin, West Forsyth HS (N.C.)

Martin is just the second prep player the Dodgers selected in this draft (with a couple more to come) and just the third (of five) pitchers they selected. He becomes just the third player ever drafted from West Forsyth High School.

Rankings
Unranked

Payton Martin (2022, Winston-Salem, NC) has been impressive on the bump with a 87-89 FB that has solid carry through the zone. Also features a 12/6 CB that has quality bite and tightness to it. ⁦

Plays a slick SS defensively too. ⁦@PG_Uncommitted⁩ #WWBA pic.twitter.com/9FxgJ3v7xi
— Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 8, 2021

#ECU Commit (‘22) Payton Martin of @RichmondBraves • Throws every pitch with intent and commands both the FB and the CB. Smooth delivery with plenty of upside. FB 87-90, SL @ 75, 76. Lot to like out of this arm. Played a solid SS as well. #WorldInvite pic.twitter.com/8vjGPBugnG
— Dan Oberst (@DanOberstPS) September 11, 2021

2022 Payton Martin | @WFTitanBaseball @ECUBaseball recruit

Worked 2 scoreless inn in relief without allowing a hit. FB mostly at 91-93 touching 94 a couple times. pic.twitter.com/kx4AiG4ySn
— PBR North Carolina (@PrepBaseballNC) April 27, 2022

And, like 11th-rounder Kyle Nevin, it sounds like he’s going to sign.

ECU 2022 signee Payton Martin is expected to sign with the Dodgers after being selected in the 17th round.https://t.co/2aUrr5lDKn pic.twitter.com/XqNG1twzsc
— Stephen Igoe (@StephenIgoe) July 20, 2022

——

Round 18, No. 555 overall: SS Cameron Decker, Evansville North HS (Ind.)

The Dodgers not only had a theme of drafting shortstops, but they focused on switch-hitting shortstops — something that has become a bit of a lost art these days.

Rankings
Unranked

3B Cameron Decker (IN)@UCF_Baseball recruit
6’1” 206 lbs.#Super60 || #MLBDraft
@PBRIndiana pic.twitter.com/MS9QBTrwIp
— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) February 6, 2022

🚨 GRAND SLAM ALERT…⚾️

North’s Cameron Decker’s 10th homer of the season was a long GRAND SLAM to left at Gibson Southern. @CameronDecker16 vs TItans
2-4, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R pic.twitter.com/SIhc5b4D2F
— (812)-H🏀🏀PS! (@BbalEvv) May 14, 2022

He’s still on the fence about signing.

18th rounder Cameron Decker looks to still be weighing his options, mentions evaluating pros & cons, developing in the minors vs college, and whether the money is enough to pass up school.

Good piece here on his background and draft reaction. https://t.co/PjMs6UcbP8
— Future Dodgers (@FutureDodgers) July 20, 2022

Round 19, No. 585 overall: OF Chris Alleyne, University of Maryland

Alleyne is an older draftee (24 in November) and enjoyed a great season as the Terps’ captain — .331/.422/.673 with 24 home runs and 24 stolen bases.

Rankings
Baseball America: 398
Perfect Game: 442

Well that didn’t take long, the 2nd batter of the game, Chris Alleyne, goes deep to put @TerpsBaseball up early, 1-0, his 21st of the year pic.twitter.com/8mMF0Z1Q2G
— Patrick Ebert (@PatrickEbert44) May 20, 2022

I have no clue how Chris Alleyne lasted until the 19th round (#Dodgers), 20-20 season, B1G POY, just an incredible overall season and can impact the game a variety of ways, can now prove people wrong in the Dodgers organization #MLBDraft22 https://t.co/gp3ta5Zar0
— Patrick Ebert (@PatrickEbert44) July 19, 2022

🧵 University of Maryland’s Chris Alleyne has been drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 19th Round. One of my favorites to cover this year for @ProspectsLive. Absolute gamer. Attitude and aggressiveness on the field that you want to see! Here’s a HR to dead center ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/dKMPuJg4BI
— Jared Perkins (@JaredCP1) July 19, 2022

Round 20, No. 615 overall: SS Carter McCulley, Pensacola Catholic HS (Fla.)

The Dodgers closed out their 2022 draft with their eighth shortstop and fourth of the switch-hitting variety.

Rankings
Unranked

2022 Carter Mcculley @SaderBaseball #uncommitted

Impressive swing here by Mcculley driving a ball well over the center fielders head. Quick hands with a short stroke.

@PBRFlorida pic.twitter.com/VXTXwiX47t
— Jesse Litsch (@JesseLitsch) April 14, 2021

With the final swing of his high school career, Carter McCulley @McculleyCarter……… pic.twitter.com/GIwrG7oqxU
— Pensacola Catholic High School Baseball (@SaderBaseball) June 3, 2022

And he has some experience on the mound, despite being announced as a shortstop.

2022 Carter McCulley @PSC_Baseball after giving up 3 early runs McCulley has settled in nicely here in Pensacola

Long levers high waist in sync and getting down the mound with aggression. A lot to like here

FB|| 86-89|| Good carry
CB|| 71-73|| 12-6 sharp wipeout pic.twitter.com/T4IsoQfBum
— Prep Baseball Florida (@PrepBaseballFL) April 7, 2022

——

The Dodgers have, also, already signed a free agent in the form of right-handed pitcher Connor Godwin, from Central Florida Junior College.

Draft Spotlight Connor Godwin RHP (Central FL) for Frederick Keys MLB Draft League. FB 93-97(T99 in JUCO WS) with late life. Good spin on sharp late slider 83-87. Feel for change. Athletic repeatable delivery. Big Arm with high ceiling @mlbdraftleague @prepbaseball @GoCFBaseball
— Tad Slowik (@TadSlowik_DBA) July 11, 2022

Connor Godwin (Horseheads HS) is a very talented freshman RHP at College of Central Florida.

He threw 2.2 yesterday at EFSC with 0 R, 0 BB and 4 K.

FB: 91-94 and T95
BB: 78-80

Big kid with some nice upside.@ConnorGodwin7 pic.twitter.com/H9FbtRZm3z
— Prospect Connect Sports (@PrspCntSports) February 3, 2022

——

We’ll have posts updating the signing process. They should be able to get their Top 9 draftees signed, with most of the 11-20 guys to sign, too.

Dodgers Digest Los Angeles Dodgers Baseball Blog

2022 MLB Draft: Dodgers land familiar name and more shortstops in Rounds 16-20

Round 16, No. 495 overall: RHP Jared Karros, UCLA

Round 17, No. 525 overall: RHP Payton Martin, West Forsyth HS (N.C.)

Round 18, No. 555 overall: SS Cameron Decker, Evansville North HS (Ind.)

Round 19, No. 585 overall: OF Chris Alleyne, University of Maryland

Round 20, No. 615 overall: SS Carter McCulley, Pensacola Catholic HS (Fla.)

About Dustin Nosler